Experts from Taiwan and from China have been elected together to an influential group within the World Trade Organization (WTO). The move on Friday has helped to dispel lingering antagonism after Taiwan and China both joined the world trade body in 2002.

The WTO on Friday announced that the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures had elected four new members to the Permanent Group of Experts. These included Taiwanese trade law expert Lo Chang-fa and Zhang Yuqing of China.

A senior economic official said it was important not to read too much into the event but did say that it was encouraging that China and Taiwan had not boycotted the other's candidate. This was the case when Lo was first recommended for election in 2005. Taiwan retaliated by blocking China's candidate.

According to sources in Geneva, China and Taiwan reached a tacit agreement to support the other's candidate while lobbying for support from other countries.